“Nothing must happen to him” – Atiku warns over Obi

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has warned the Federal Government against any action that could threaten the safety of opposition leader Peter Obi, declaring that nothing must happen to the former Anambra State governor.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the protection of Obi and other opposition figures remains a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian state.

The former vice president’s warning comes amid rising political tensions following Obi’s recent comments alleging concerns over his safety and accusing the government of targeting his business interests.

“Nothing must happen to Peter Obi. An injury to one is an injury to all. When one opposition leader is intimidated, every opposition voice is diminished. When one citizen begins to fear because of his political beliefs, democracy itself becomes the casualty,” Atiku said.

Atiku also demanded the immediate release of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, deserves fair treatment, due process and equal protection under the law.

He warned that democracy cannot survive where opposition figures are unable to express their views freely without fear of intimidation.

According to him, a strong democracy should not be measured by the power of those in government, but by how it protects those outside power.

Atiku criticised what he described as the government’s response to Obi’s comments, urging the presidency to address criticism with facts and statesmanship rather than attacks.

“When a citizen, particularly an opposition figure, voices concerns about the state of the nation or his personal safety, the first duty of government is to reassure through statesmanship, facts and responsible conduct, not through insults,” he said.

The ADC candidate accused the government of devoting too much attention to political disputes while the country continues to battle insecurity, poverty, hunger, corruption and kidnapping.

He argued that opposition figures should not be treated as enemies of the state, stressing that the real threats facing Nigeria are the daily challenges affecting ordinary citizens.

“The opposition is not the enemy of Nigeria. Poverty is the enemy. Hunger is the enemy. Insecurity is the enemy. Corruption is the enemy. Kidnapping is the enemy,” Atiku said.

He further urged the Federal Government to focus on rescuing Nigerians still held captive by criminal groups, including abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other victims waiting to reunite with their families.

On the continued detention of El-Rufai, Atiku said justice must not appear selective, insisting that every accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court.

The former vice president said history would judge governments not by how aggressively they fought critics, but by how well they protected citizens, upheld justice and defended democratic values.